JP6223688B2 - Method and apparatus for performing inspection and displaying inspection results - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to inspection and measurement, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for performing inspection and displaying inspection results derived from inspection.

  For example, when performing inspection measurements on a computer network when setting up and inspecting equipment with a large number of network cables, either copper-based network cables, fiber optic network cables, or wireless networks Anyway, inspections must be made to ensure that the various network cable installations are fully functional. A large facility may be equipped with hundreds or more cables that require inspection. It is therefore important to track the inspection process in order to be able to perform the inspection efficiently and to use the technician's time efficiently.

  Inspection equipment may include the ability to store inspection results for documentation and testing of network equipment. However, it has been found that there may be a psychological barrier to storing failed test results because engineers prefer that all test results be displayed as passed. As a result, technicians may refuse to save negative results, and instead prefer to come back to re-examination, perhaps after making some corrective adjustment to the network cable. . Such behavior can reduce the efficiency of the inspection operation and can lead to oversight of items that may need to be corrected.

  Operating network inspection equipment may require a certain level of technical knowledge, and since multiple options and test items can be used, experience with which inspection or measurement to perform in a particular situation Shallow engineers can be confused. In order to have an inexperienced technician perform the majority of the inspection, a more experienced engineer can work on a particularly difficult problem or correct the laying of a network cable that does not pass the initial inspection. It is desirable to keep

  2 to 7 show conventional display screens, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show start screens for starting the inspection. 4 and 5 show two different types of inspection information summary screens, FIG. 4 shows a failed inspection and FIG. 5 shows a passed inspection. 6 and 7 show screens for viewing the inspection results.

  FIG. 8 shows a prior art display for the inspected cable. Although individual cable segments are shown, to see the inspection results for a particular single cable segment, you must move to another display screen and scroll through the results until you find the specific segment of interest. is there.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an improved display method and apparatus for operating network inspection equipment and for displaying inspection results derived from network inspection.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved network inspection device.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved network inspection device that allows easy tracking of project status.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved network inspection device and method that provides a degree of project completion.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved network inspection device and method that provides the next suggested operational steps to be performed.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved network inspection apparatus and method that provides an option to mark inspection items to be re-inspected later.

  The subject matter of the display method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly pointed out and clearly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, by reference to the following description, in which like reference characters are construed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which refer to like elements, both the structure and method of operation can be best understood, with additional advantages and purposes. .

1 is a block diagram of an inspection instrument that embodies the method and apparatus. FIG. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. It is an example of the display by the prior art which a test | inspection apparatus provides. 4 is a home screen view according to the present invention. Project page display. The “Project Change” page display. This is the “Project Management” page display. This is the “Exam Setup” page display. It is an “inspection type” page display. It is a tool setting page display. It is a tool setting page display. This is the version information display page. FIG. 6 is an exemplary display derived from selecting a visual failure point meter inspection option. FIG. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. Shows the screen displayed during the examination. The result browsing screen is shown. The result browsing screen is shown. The result browsing screen is shown. The result browsing screen is shown. It is an ID change screen. It is a view of a specific display for entering new project information.

  A system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a method and apparatus for inspecting a network.

  The method and apparatus provides the user with the following suggested operation step information, provides the ability to display the percentage of completed projects, and saves the inspection results in a “repair later” list or the ability to reexamine immediately. By providing an easy-to-use inspection device that provides, it eliminates the user's tendency to be reluctant to store failed results while still tracking failed tests. View the project completion percentage amount so that you can easily view the overall amount of completed projects, so technicians or managers can see how much the project is complete and how much work remains You can see right away. Appropriately display the overall pass / fail ratio in a way that gives the number of inspection items that have passed, failed inspection items, or barely passed inspection items. When reviewing results, to move any failing test results to the top of the list, thereby providing a “punch list” of results that need to be addressed, and screening rejected items from those that passed Eliminates the need to search the entire list of test results. During the operation of the equipment, the next suggested operation step option is provided in many places, for example in the form of the next option option highlighted, to the technician using the device as to what to do next Give operational assistance.

  FIG. 9 shows a home screen according to the present invention. On the screen 10 which is preferably a contact screen, a project name 12 can be displayed together with an operator name 14. For example, an inspected percentage value is displayed at 16 which represents the percentage of network cables that have been inspected and / or passed the inspection in a particular project.

  In this example, the value of the failed inspection item is preferably shown as 18 (1X) in a color such as red, for example (1X), while optionally, a value of 20 preferably represents the 10 items that just passed the inspection. Shown in another color, such as orange. The value 22 indicates that 13 items so far have passed the inspection, preferably in yet another color such as green. The 24 indicators indicate which end of the cable the result is related to, while the value displayed at 26 gives various indications about the type of test being performed. In the figure, the optical inspection apparatus is illustrated together with the single mode automatic OTDR inspection and the ANSI / TIA-568-C standard inspection in a state where the CommScope TeraSPEED type fiber is being inspected.

  Display area 28 provides the ability to display the next ID field (to indicate the next item to be displayed or inspected), and status such as “auto labeling when off”.

  The tool icon 30 allows access to the tool screen, the project icon 32 allows access to the screen for reviewing or editing the project information, and the result icon 34 browses and edits the inspection result information. To access the results screen for

  The icon 36 shown in the lower right corner of the screen displays the next suggested operation step taken by the technician using the device. In the particular view of FIG. 9, the next suggestion operation step is an “inspection” indicating that the device is proposing to perform an inspection. The icon 36 is distinguished from other icons on the screen in a specific embodiment, and is preferably displayed using a color such as yellow so as to match the color scheme theme for the “next operation step”.

  Additional information may be shown on the screen, such as a battery status indicator 38, a chat icon 40 that opens a voice or text communication screen, and a current date and time display 42.

  With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 which are views of screens related to project icons, by selecting an icon in FIG. 9, it becomes possible to access a project management screen such as a new project screen shown in FIG. The project management screen allows you to enter a project name using the provided touch screen keyboard. FIG. 10 shows a project screen of a project that has already been set up, in which the project name (123 is being examined) and the name of the operator are displayed. The date range from which the test results were obtained is displayed at 44, the current number of passed / failed test results is displayed at 46, and multiple possible tests to be performed (50 FaultMap / OM3 multimodes 50, 52 48 shows a test setup display showing automatic OTDR / OM3 multimode 50 / ANSI / TIA-568-C, followed by a further test 54 that allows the operator to scroll into view.

  A new test “button” 56 is provided which allows the operator to set up new test parameters and functions to be performed other than the previously saved test set. Project change 58, management 60, and completion 62 (next proposal step) are provided at the bottom of the screen.

  FIG. 11 shows the project change menu, where the exit / return button 64 operates to return to the previous screen and there are 66 different saved projects that the technician using the device can scroll to select the desired project. , 66 ′, etc., or by selecting the button 68, a new project can be entered and set up.

  FIG. 12 shows the project management mode reached by selecting the button 60 in the screen of FIG. 10, the rename function 70 for giving a new name to the project, and the project used for creating a new project. A copy function 72 for copying a specific setting or a delete function 74 for deleting a project and the inspection result of the project can be used. Project configuration information is shown in 76 and 78, such as 6 inspection setups and 5 cable ID sets, the project completion rate is displayed at 80, the project upload rate is displayed at 82, and this upload rate 82 is For example, it can indicate how much project results have been uploaded to the reporting system.

  FIG. 13 shows an exam setup screen, where the details of a particular exam to be performed can be set for options such as exam type (FIG. 14 can be selected in a particular embodiment). (Exemplary inspection type sub-screen showing five exemplary inspection types, including automatic OTDR, manual OTDR, data center OTDR, FaultMap, and FiberInspector). Other options that can be set in FIG. 13 include launch compensation (on / off), wavelength, fiber type, and test limit. The save button is the next suggestion step 84 to be taken within this screen, whereas a “return” function 86 is provided to return to the previous screen.

  FIGS. 15-17 show the tool screen where the language, date / time, number format (decimal point is a dot or comma), length value (feet or meters) used by the display menu. Various operational options can be set, such as time to timeout, whether to use audible sound, power line frequency (50 Hz / 60 Hz), variable part of display. A return button 88 is provided to return to the previous screen.

  FIG. 16 shows additional setup tools, such as setting up start-up compensation, setting real-time trace values, setting up visual failure point measuring instrument, self-diagnostic function, and FiberInspector function. Provide additional maintenance tools such as version information, battery status, memory status, etc. FIG. 17 shows an example of a display produced by selecting the version information option. FIG. 18 shows an example of the display that results from selecting a visual point of failure meter, when the inspection equipment attempts to trace one of many fibers terminated in a cable or in a rack. A simple beam-to-end continuity check is performed with a bright beam of red light that is useful for easy viewing from a distance to verify the actual polarity and orientation of the fiber in the multi-fiber connector. A status display 90 (active state) is shown together with a visual representation of the inspection device. A pulse button 92 is provided to allow the technician to activate the pulsed visible beam.

  19 to 25 show screens displayed during the examination.

  FIG. 19 is a view of an alternative “home” screen to the home screen of FIG. 9 in the preferred embodiment, showing a particular selected inspection project named 123 during inspection. In this embodiment, instead of having the project icon 32 of FIG. 9, the screen moves to a project selection screen (for example, the screen of FIG. 10) by selecting a screen in the area 93 where the current project is displayed. You can select the project selection function. In this view, 15 cables have passed the inspection, while 13 have failed. The test being performed is an automatic OTDR for OM3 multimode 50 micron cable, testing in accordance with the ANSI / TIA-568-C standard. The next ID is blank, while the currently inspected cable ID is AA123, and terminal 2 is shown as a desk. The name of the operator is shown (Sena). While the tool icon and result icon can be selected, the next suggested operation is “inspect”.

  FIG. 20 shows the inspection progress screen. In this screen, the type of inspection is displayed at 94 (automatic OTDR of the cable end 2), and the graphic display 96 in the form of 12 small circles is regularly arranged in a circle. These circles are continuously highlighted or discolored to indicate the passage of time during the inspection activity, and the remaining time field 98 provides an indication of the remaining time in the particular test in progress, and the port connection quality field 100 is a horizontal bar having a plurality of color regions 103, 105 and 107, and an arrow 102 moving along the length of the horizontal bar, the leftmost position indicates the lowest quality performance and the rightmost Are graphically displayed in the form of arrows 102 indicating the highest quality performance. Since the quality of the particular test result shown is low at this point in the test, the word 104 is displayed as low. Colors 103, 105, and 107 represent undesirable test results, test results that meet barely requirements, and good test results, and may include, for example, red, yellow, and green. A cancel button 106 is provided to allow the technician to cancel the inspection before the inspection is complete.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of a display when a failure state is detected. The identifier of the particular cable being inspected is displayed at 108 and the word fail is displayed at 110, preferably in a colored bar 109 made up of a color representing failure, such as red. A representation map 112 of the cable under inspection, which is a fiber optic cable in the illustrated example, is shown with a fault event location indicator 114 taking the form of a square with a length value and an X. The inspection equipment itself is shown at 116. Next to the failure indicator box 114 is a display box 118 that indicates that a loss event has been detected at 100.56 meters from the inspection instrument and displays a loss value (1.02 db) as well as a reflection value (−20 dB). Has been. The measured fiber length value (1000.00 meters), overall loss (1.42 dB), and inspection limit (Fibre Channel 1200-M5E-SN-I) are also shown. Further display options other than the fiber map shown are the table 120 or trace 122, which display test results in other formats shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 (fibers displayed in FIG. 21). It is selected by touching a box containing the word table or trace (as the map option is selected).

  In the screen of FIG. 21, distance values representing distances from the inspection device to various found events, which are connectors along the cable under inspection in the illustrated display, are displayed. In this particular display, each connector is located 0.5 meters, 25 meters, 100 meters, 300 meters, 500 meters, and 1000 meters from the inspection equipment.

  At the bottom of the screen is further provided a “repair later” button 124 which serves to save cable identification information and inspection information in a list of items to be addressed later. This feature provides an easy way to postpone that a technician must investigate or correct a particular failing inspection item.

  In a particular embodiment, the recheck button 126 is indicated as the next suggested step, again using a suitable color such as yellow.

  FIG. 22 shows an alternative display to the display of FIG. 21, where the specific display of FIG. 22 is an optional screen display according to the preferred embodiment, for example compared to the format of FIG. In FIG. 22, the fiber map view of FIG. 21 is referred to as an “event map” view, and this particular view is a view of the passed inspection results, with a loss value of 0.18 dB at 18.20 meters from the inspection equipment. This particular test value is on the cable identified as cable 006. A box 128 of a different color from the other parts of the cable representation is shown for a graphical display of where the displayed event is located on the cable.

  In the screens of FIGS. 21 and 22, vertical lines indicate the representation of the cable under inspection, while boxes 119, 119 ', etc. represent cable connectors. Circle 121 represents a loss event detected during the examination. The displayed measurements shown at 118, 118 'can be displayed by selecting an individual event or connector by touching the connector / event on the screen, and the details of the test associated with that particular connector or event are displayed. Displayed as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. If the cable being inspected is long enough that the entire cable representation cannot be displayed on the screen, a scroll button is provided to allow the display to scroll back and forth along the length of the cable. Events and connectors can be seen.

  In the screen of FIG. 22, a distance value representing a distance from a specific event or connector to the next event / connector is displayed. In this particular display, the first event is at 18.20 meters from the testing equipment, and the subsequent connector is 86.68 meters, 52.74 meters later, 1.02 meters later, 52.58 meters later. It is after the meter and 102.47 meters after that.

  FIG. 23 shows a table view of inspection data for cable 006 of FIG. 22, cable end (at 313.69 meters), reflection (at 211.22 meters, 157.62 meters, 104.88 meters). Various values of events are displayed. The displayed tabular data is shown at 850 nm, and buttons 130 and 132 are provided to allow movement to inspection data at other frequencies. There is provided an overall button 134 for displaying the overall inspection result value of the cable instead of the values of individual events as shown in FIG. The word pass 138 appears in a colored bar 136 (preferably green, for example).

  FIG. 24 shows an example of a trace display of test results for cable 006, with a graphical display 140 providing a trace view with event move buttons 141, 142 that allow movement between events found during the test. Yes. A cursor 144 is shown with a highlight 148 above the cursor at 109.9 meters (indicated by box 146), and a second cursor 150 is positioned to the right of the first cursor. A difference between values at the respective cursors is compared to show a measured value in a region 152 (for example, ΔdB = −0.2, Δm = 54.6, ΔdB / km = 3.2).

  FIG. 25 is a screen of the display screen in the FiberInspector mode. In this screen, the microscope view of the end of the fiber is displayed in the area 154. A “scale off” button 156 for alternately turning the scale 158 off or on, as well as a grade button 160, a focus button 162, and a next arrow 164 are provided. In this screen, the save button 166 is the next proposal step operation button, and in this case, it is also presented using a “suggested color” such as yellow.

  26 to 30 show a result browsing screen and an ID change screen.

  FIG. 26 shows a full result browsing screen, in which the active project area 168 displays projects that are currently active, and the other project area 170 shows other projects stored in the apparatus. Project upload percentage values are displayed to show how much of each project has been uploaded from the device to another device or storage. Whereas the upload button 172 is used to upload the selected project, the delete button 174 allows the project to be deleted (eg, after uploading the project data). A completion button 176, which is the next proposal procedure button in this view, is provided.

  FIG. 27 shows a result management screen, on which the inspection project results are displayed, and the ID / date field 178 can be selected to sort by date or identification information. A recheck full selection check box 180 can be used to indicate that all items in the list should be rechecked, or items can be selected to recheck by selecting individual check boxes 182, 182 ', etc. A part of may be selected. A move function, a rename function, and a delete function are also available, and delete is the next suggested step for this particular operating state.

  FIG. 28 shows various sets of results from different tests, named Main Street Hospital, showing 4 failed tests, 1 barely passed test, and 283 passed tests. . 4 failed inspections are displayed at the top of the screen with the indication of “4 re-examination required”, followed by the result of one barely passed inspection, and then the results of 283 passed inspections. These can be scrolled up and down and moved as desired within the view on the screen. For further operations, all browse function buttons, upload function buttons, or management function buttons can be selected at the bottom of the screen. Within this particular screen, the next suggested step option is not shown.

  FIG. 29 shows yet another result display for a test set named Januek, showing 11 passed tests and 2 retests required. This method and apparatus presents the items that need to be re-inspected in the punch list so that the technician can easily determine which items need to be re-inspected and then achieve the re-inspection This provides a convenient way to manage the retest.

  FIG. 30 shows a display screen of the ID change function. On this screen, the identifier assigned to a specific cable can be changed by selecting the cable ID change button 184, and thus the specific cable identifier can be changed. A keyboard display is provided that allows you to edit the name. “Done” is the next proposed step / optional presented in this particular view.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram of an inspection device, which in this particular embodiment is an optical communication inspection device 200, which network interface to the network under inspection 202, which is an optical network in a particular embodiment. Connect via 204. This device includes a processor 206, a memory 208 such as RAM / ROM, a persistent storage 210, an input / output 212 that couples the device to a network or other external device (storage, other computer, etc.), a display 214, a user input device 216 (eg, keyboard, mouse, other pointing device, touch screen, etc.), a power source 218 that may include a battery or an AC power source. The microscope 220 provides an inspection function for viewing the end of the fiber in FiberInspect mode. The processor operates the equipment to provide inspection and measurement functions for the network.

  In operation, the network test equipment is coupled to the network, observes transmissions on the network, performs stimulus-response measurements to gather information and statistics, and performs tests and measurements.

  The methods and apparatus described herein provide improved inspection equipment and methods for inspecting, for example, a wired network, a fiber optic network, or a wireless network. As a possible next step to take, there is an option to fix later or a re-examination option. This term eliminates the concern of having to save the “fail” results and fix them back. This eliminates some of the psychological barriers to saving failed results, while allowing you to track failed tests and addressing the immediate challenges of users who will fix or immediately retest later. . In addition, displaying a project completion percentage display, for example, on the home screen provides an improvement, which can easily measure the amount of project completion to track the results. The user immediately knows how much work remains for a particular project. Furthermore, it provides an indication of the number of inspection items that have passed, failed inspection items, or barely passed inspection items so that the overall result can be immediately viewed. In addition, on the results display screen, any failed results are moved to the top of the display list, resulting in a “punch list” of results that need to be addressed. This type of organization eliminates the need for the technician to search the result set from corner to corner to find rejected items that need to be re-inspected. Providing the next suggested operation step, preferably in the form of a specific colored function button or highlighted function button (such as an overview of a yellow arrow for a button at a common screen position such as bottom right) Assist users in the form of a suggestion. The graphic display of the cable under inspection is selected by touching and selecting a graphic representation of the cable element or event and the display of the specific inspection result for the resulting selected cable element or event. Provides an easy way to see individual results.

  While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the broader aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

10 screen 12 project name 14 operator name 16 inspected ratio value 18 value 20 value 22 value 24 indicator 26 value 28 display area 30 tool icon 32 project icon 34 result icon 36 icon 38 battery status indicator 40 chat icon 42 Current date and time display 44 Date range 46 Number of current pass / fail test results 48 Test setup display 50 FaultMap / OM3 multimode 50
52 Automatic OTDR / OM3 Multimode 50 / ANSI / TIA-568-C
54 Further inspection 56 New inspection button 58 Project change 60 Management 62 Complete 64 Finish / Return button 66 Saved project 68 Button 70 Rename function 72 Copy function 74 Delete function 76 Project configuration information 78 Project configuration information 80 Project completion rate 82 Project Upload Ratio 84 Next Proposed Step 86 Back Function 88 Back Button 90 Status Display 92 Pulse Button 93 Area 94 Exam Type 96 Graphic Display 98 Remaining Time Field 100 Port Connection Quality Field 102 Arrow 103 Color Area 104 Low Word 105 Color area 106 Cancel button 107 Color area 108 Identifier 109 Colored bar 110 Fail word 112 Representation map 114 Location indicator 11 Inspection equipment 118 Display box 119 Box 120 Table 121 Yen 122 Trace 124 Button to be corrected later 126 Reexamination button 128 Box 130 Button 132 Button 134 Whole button 136 Colored bar 138 Passed word 140 Graphic display 141 Event move button 142 Event move button 144 Cursor 146 Box 148 Highlight 150 Second Cursor 152 Area 154 Area 156 Scale Off Button 158 Scale 160 Grade Button 162 Focus Button 164 Next Arrow 166 Save Button 168 Active Project Area 170 Other Project Area 172 Upload Button 174 delete button 176 complete button 178 ID / date field 180 recheck all selection check Box 182 Check box 184 Cable ID change button 200 Optical communication inspection device 202 Network 204 Network interface 206 Processor 208 Memory 210 Permanent storage 212 Input / output 214 Display 216 User input device 218 Power supply 220 Microscope

Claims (5)

A storage medium for storing information relating to a project under inspection consisting of a plurality of network cable inspections, including at least the inspection state of the project ;
A processor for determining the amount of the completed project corresponding to the project under inspection ;
A display for displaying the amount of the completed project and the next suggested operation step for the user to select, and displaying the amount of the completed project as a completion percentage value of the project under inspection And displaying the next suggested operation step includes providing a graphical interface element for selecting to achieve the next operation step.
Including inspection equipment. Providing a storage medium for storing information relating to a project under inspection consisting of a plurality of network cable inspections, including at least the inspection state of the project;
Determining the amount of the project under inspection corresponding to the project under inspection;
Displaying the amount of the completed project displayed as a completion percentage value for the project under inspection;
Displaying a next suggested operational step for the user to select, providing a graphical interface element for selecting to achieve the next operational step;
A method of operating an inspection device, including: Providing a display;
Displaying the amount of the completed project displayed as a completion percentage value for the project under inspection consisting of a plurality of network cable inspections;
Displaying a next suggested operational step for the user to select, providing a graphical interface element for selecting to achieve the next operational step;
A method of operating an inspection device, including: 4. A method of operating an inspection instrument according to claim 3, wherein the graphical interface element comprises a specific color. The method of operating an inspection device according to claim 4, wherein the color is yellow.